Media industry veteran Stuart Rekant has joined E.L.I. as a Partner. Stuart will expand E.L.I.’s capabilities in finance, including project financing, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Stuart has led film, television, radio, internet, and information services businesses, and has significant multiplatform experience in content creation and distribution.

Prior to E.L.I., Stuart provided advisory services to media industry participants through his wholly-owned firm in a range of areas, including assessing the viability of a private equity firm’s portfolio company; managing the divestiture of a private company’s non-core business interests; developing growth and financing plans for early stage television networks; and assisting in various project financing projects for domestic and international companies.

“Stuart’s experience in assisting organizations of varying size and across sectors achieve their growth objectives whether organically or via M&A, coupled with his expertise in assessing appropriate exit strategies and financing options for business owners, expands our firm’s capabilities to assist clients during times of transition,” said E.L.I. CEO Janice DiPietro.

Over the last 35 years, Stuart led efforts in a number of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures of middle market businesses principally in the media and information services arena in public market and private company settings. He has been associated with both established enterprises and early stage businesses as an entrepreneur, executive, and advisor, including such companies as Hidden Treasures Inc., Juniper Content Corp., Office.com, Inc., The Weinstein Company, and WinStar Communications, Inc.

“I welcome the opportunity to work with our Partners in planning and implementing our clients’ growth and transition objectives” Stuart commented, “by bringing a cross-functional perspective to achieving their strategic goals.”

Stuart began his career as an attorney with Columbia Pictures. He went on to practice entertainment law and later joined HBO, serving as a member of its senior management team at a time of HBO’s explosive early growth. Stuart received an A.B. from Colgate University and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law. He is a Member of the New York Bar.